October 7, 1937 – September 6, 2025
Clear Lake- Lawrence Joseph “Bud” King 87, died Saturday September 6, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota.
A visitation will be held on Friday September 26, 2025, from 4:00-6:00p.m. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m. followed by a scriptural wake service at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave. North Clear Lake, Iowa 50428.
A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1001 9th Ave South Clear Lake, Iowa 50428, with Rev. Josh Link officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Clear Lake Cemetery, with full military honors conducted by members of the Clear Lake V.F.W. post 4868. Bud’s memorial mass will be live streamed on the St. Patrick Catholic Church website the day of his service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or to the American Cancer Society in Bud’s memory.
Lawrence Joseph “Bud” King was born on October 7, 1937, to John W. and Rose (Wettstein) King in Lodi Township, Mower County, near Adams, Minnesota. He graduated from high school and enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving until his honorable discharge in 1958. He then went to work for Sherwin-Williams where he managed several stores in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Bud met the love of his life, Kathleen “Kay” Leary, and the two were united in marriage on April 2,1966, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Anoka, Minnesota and went on to build a life rooted in faith, family, and community. They were blessed with two sons, John and Patrick.
From 1966 to 1971, Bud was the general manager of the ADM Industries plant in Owatonna, MN.
In 1971, Bud was transferred to Clear Lake, Iowa, to be the general manager of Clear Lake Aluminum. Bud and Kay made their home in Clear Lake, where they raised their family and lived the remainder of their lives.
In 1977, Bud joined Avalanche Products as a sales representative in the window and door manufacturing industry, where he worked until his retirement in 2007. He
developed deep relationships with his business partners and customers, who remained important to him throughout his life.
Outside of his career, Bud was a man of deep faith, serving his church faithfully throughout his life.
As a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus member, he was proud of his service and commitment which was recognized with his induction into the Iowa Knights of Columbus Hall of Fame in 2021. Together, Bud and Kay gave generously of their time, chairing and co-chairing many events for St. Patrick’s Annual Auction and other parish activities.
Bud enjoyed many sporting activities and he remained extremely active his entire life with golf, fishing, and hunting being particular passions. He made countless fishing trips to Canada, and the times at Tolton’s Miles Bay Camp and the New Moon Lodge were very special to him. He enjoyed the weekly golf outings at Veterans Memorial Golf Club and the Friday lunch bunch at the Half Moon. Bud’s legacy is marked with integrity, service, fellowship, and humor, but his greatest legacy is that of a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Bud is survived by his two sons, John (Elizabeth) King of Houston, TX, and Patrick (Martha) King of Waukee, IA; four grandchildren, Sarah of Houston, TX (fiancé Ryan Gehm of Austin, TX) and Will (girlfriend Zoe Scuffham, Alexand Colin of Waukee, IA; siblings Mary Ann Heimer of Adams, MN, Evy (Chuck) Bimberg, Bernette Willenbring, Bernice (John) Horn, all of Coon Rapids, MN, Bill (Cathy) King, Punta Gorda, FL. Diane (Gary) Christie of Rochester, MN, and sisters-in-law Ann Hoover, Berkeley, CA, and Gail Leary, Bismarck, ND ; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and many friends.
Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Kay, his parents, John W. and Rose King, mother and father-in-law, William and Margaret Leary, sister Gertrude (LaVerne) Heimer, brother Ernest (Rosemary) King, brothers-in-law Jack (Norma) Leary, Thomas Leary, James Leary, and sister-in-law Jane (Norman) Hansen.
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave. North, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428. 641-357-2193
colonialchapels.com